NHA awarded contract to ineligible firm, PAC told

ISLAMABAD - The sub-committee of PAC was informed on Tuesday that the National Highway Authority had awarded a contract to an ineligible firm, ignoring the prescribed rules and regulations.

This was disclosed by audit officials during a meeting of the sub-committee, chaired by MNA Shafqat Mehmood, here.

The meeting reviewed the audit objections of the Ministry of Communication for the year 2015-16.

The committee members expressed displeasure for awarding the Rs4 billion contract to an ineligible firm without following the prescribed PPRA rules. The authority concerned was also asked to submit a report within 15 days.

A member of the committee Shahida Akhtar said that the main PAC had also ordered the authorities concerned to investigate the matter.

Shafqat Mehmood said that investigation should also be carried out against the investigation officer for ignoring the important matter.

Another member Rashid Godil said that an advertisement should have also been published in newspapers before awarding the contract to any firm.

An audit official informed that the investigators were also allegedly involved in the misappropriation. The committee asked the NHA to submit a report in 15 days, otherwise, the matter would be forwarded to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).